‘Despite what has been said around not moving to the right we’re seeing a short-term, almost knee-jerk reaction to events,’ he said.

Over the weekend, The Sunday Times reported a crackdown on the availability of NHS treatment to migrants and The Mail on Sunday announced plans to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

Craig said that the party’s repositioning came as an acknowledgement that Cameron was not strong enough to position himself against his party.

'This disconnect between the senior ranks and backbenchers had led to widespread dissatisfaction.

'Over the last six months there have been high levels of alienation and disenchantment with large chunks of the Conservative Party in terms of a lack of engagement with the top ranks,' he said.

'The Eastleigh result has brought that into focus, with the right-wing faction becoming more emboldened, and now Cameron will have to articulate a message more pleasing to his backbenches – the announcements are a sign of this starting.’

The Liberal Democrats won last week's by-election, with UKIP pushing the Conservatives into third place.